Boot Camp Trains Confident Cadets

Discipline, leadership, and confidence are qualities drilled into 14 St. Joseph Naval Sea Cadets during the past nine days. Today they graduate from their first boot camp in Camp Dodge, Iowa. Parents came from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri to watch their children complete the camp. The cadets learned basic military training, except for hand to hand combat and weapons training. Sea Cadets and League Cadets learn the basics at boot camp including how to march and how to dress. Sea Cadet Skyler Allen said, "At first I didn`t think I would make it`s really a mental thing." League Cadet Tyler Ripple said, "It started out really hard but it got easier." League Cadets ages 11 to 14 and Sea Cadets ages 15 to 17 are also put through physical tests. Ripple said, "We had to do a mile run." Allen said, "We`d get up at five in the morning and do P-T, physical training." The tough training doesn`t stop there the size of the cadets meals started out small and gradually grew. Proud parents traveled hundreds of miles to see their sons and daughters transform. Tim Thompson has two cadet sons. He said, "My younger son used to be shy about his height but not anymore. Now the confidence just pours out of my older son." Thompson says his sons are learning important life lessons. Thompson said, "Your treated based on your merit. If you work hard ad you earn something then they reward you for it. "It doesn`t matter if your fat, skinny, short or tall when you walk in the door your a cadet." Thompson`s sons have big plans for the future. Something their dad says the military made possible. Michael Thompson said, "I want to enlist in the Navy and become an air pilot. The sooner I graduate the higher pay grade I`ll get and the more money I`ll have for college." His younger brother plans on becoming a Marine. Ryan Thompson said, "Michael asked me to be his wing man but I said naw because I want to be a Marine but if we get assigned to the same aircraft carrier we can work together." Ryan will be in Michael`s shoes next summer. Heading to his first boot camp. Ryan said, "I want to know how I`ll be treated you know have someone older give me a heads up." Most of this year`s cadets say they have two things on their minds...sleep and food. If your child is interested in joining the Sea or League Cadets. Contact Steve Goben at 279-7955